3D printing applied to dentistry “Step by Step” guide

1. 3D printing applied to dentistry “Step by Step” guide We can affirm, without fear of being wrong, that the dental sector is currently one of the sectors that most uses 3D printing for direct manufacturing. Therefore, we will analyze step by step, what are the main uses that are given to these 3d printing in dentistry technologies within it, and the procedures that are followed. Below we will detail the process that is usually followed between the clinic and the dental laboratory. Step by step of 3D printing in Dentistry: 1. Scan: The laboratory receives the restoration works that each clinic requires, these may have been scanned by the dentist using an intraoral scanner. Or they may have been taken using the traditional plaster impression. In the second option, the laboratory must have a desktop 3D scanner with which to digitize said plasters. 2. Design: Once the 3D model is obtained, the design begins taking into account the restoration of teeth to match the specifications indicated by the dentist and the intraoral environment. 3. Manufacture of 3D models: The impression of the restorations in plastic or meltable wax using a high-resolution best 3D printer system. After this process, which usually lasts between 30 min and a few hours (depending on the printing equipment), the crowns and models coincide with their associated cases and the final piece is manufactured. Applications and advantages: Dental laboratories can combine oral exploration and CAD / CAM design to quickly and accurately create crowns, bridges, ceramic models, and a range of orthodontic applications. Overcoming the obstacle of manual modeling and allowing, in addition to a reduction in prices, to achieve faster delivery times while maintaining high levels of quality. They will not only be able to decrease the price of their services but also increase the number of orders that previously could only be supported by a prosthetist and which will now support a machine. In addition to saving a digital copy of each piece for later reproduction. The number of errors and imperfections is also reduced by a high percentage since we have the possibility of testing the piece before being placed on the customer and even printing several different models of the same piece. Conclusions: As we have seen, there are more and more applications that these 3d printing resin technologies are conquering within the dental sector, which is why it is very important to choose the right equipment. Since, although the manufacturers do not tell us, there are important differences between the systems they sell, which can make our adventure in 3D printing a success or a complete failure.